Council confirms library appointment, approves Byrne grant for tasers; senior center expansion urged in public comment

At its July 7 meeting the Murray City Council confirmed a mayoral appointment to the Library Board, approved a federal Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant application for taser replacement, and heard a citizen appeal about senior-center space.

Mayor (identified in the meeting) introduced Dustin Lewis as the mayor’s nominee for the Murray Library Board for a term running from June 2026 to June 2029. A council member moved to confirm the appointment, a second was received, and the council approved the confirmation by roll call.

During the public-hearing portion of the meeting, Chief Burnett described the city’s Edward Byrne JAG application for $25,620 to purchase approximately 10 new tasers to replace aging equipment. The grant opportunity is an annual federal program; Burnett said the proposal uses the funds for nonlethal equipment upgrades. The council opened the hearing to public comment, received none, then moved and approved the application in a roll-call vote.

In citizen comments, Chuck Dillard, a long-time Murray resident and member of the Murray Senior Recreation Center advisory board, urged the council to explore stepwise expansion options for the Senior Center to accommodate growing participation and class-size limits. Dillard said the center is “thriving” and asked council members to visit and consider incremental solutions that do not necessarily require a new building.

The mayor also reported updates on Love Murray projects, including the Murray Museum, Murray Armory events and revenue, and the Murray Theater reopening; the mayor said a new theater manager will be announced at an upcoming meeting. The council adjourned after brief comments of appreciation.